A family-of-seven have told how living in a cramped mould ridden council house is ruining their lives.

Rebecca Bowden moved into their small three-bedroom house in Wonford, Exeter, six years ago and says reoccurring mould has now become such a problem that she and her husband and their five children try to spend as much time as they can out of their home.

The 35-year-old says her mental health is now suffering as a result of the problems which Exeter City Council have been attempting to rectify. She says she is also worried about the health of her children aged 15, 11, 10, four and two.

She added the mould problem has now got so bad in her 15-year-old son’s ‘box bedroom’ that he is now having to sleep in the same room as his 10 and 11-year-old sisters.

The mould ridden council house (Image: Rebecca Bowden)

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Rebecca said: “My house is riddled with mould. It’s always been there and was manageable before because we just had black spots and could wash it away, but it would come back and within the last six months it has been getting worse.

“I complained to the council last October and they did nothing for two months. Then they came out and washed and at the end of February the house had anti-mould treatment but it’s coming back. I was told it was back because of the amount of people living in the house.

“Two weeks someone came out to check the walls and air within the house, and last week we had another vent put in the loft. However, even where it has been treated the mould has come back in my son's box bedroom, including on the ceiling.”

Rebecca says it is the worst room due to its size, but there it is also rife in the main bedroom in which her 11, 10 and four year old sleep. It is also problematic in the bathroom and front room/ dining room where she and her husband sleep.

Rebecca Bowden moved into their small three-bedroom house in Wonford, Exeter, six years ago

She said: “I have my windows open every day as that’s what I’m told to do and we have no furniture touching the walls or ceiling.

“I’ve asked to be rehoused but the council have said I have to bid like everyone else. Our house does not have adequate living space for our family; It’s a tiny house and they think it’s acceptable for my husband and I to be sleeping in the front room.

“I’m taking anti-depressants because it’s causing me depression and anxiety. I don’t want to be in the house because of the mould so I get up early so we can leave and I stay out all day. It’s impacting massively on our family and my marriage.

“The council don’t understand how it impacts on your life and mental state. I’m just told there are people in worse situations than me.”

The mould keeps returning (Image: Rebecca Bowden)

One of the bedrooms (Image: Rebecca Bowden)

A spokesperson for Exeter City Council said: “We are aware of the situation and are actively working on a solution to the mould with a specialist contractor.

“When the tenancy was allocated in 2012, the property was of an adequate size to meet the families need. We are aware this is no longer the situation and that the tenant is on the Devon Home Choice waiting list and is actively bidding for properties as they become available. Unfortunately the demand for social housing - in particular, larger family homes - is such that a property has not become available in the timescales Mrs Bowden had hoped for.”